By all accounts from those who know Wright, he cares deeply about representing the Mets and their traditions. He wants to be part of a Mets team that brings back the glory years of the mid-1980’s, but he hasn’t come anywhere close to experiencing the heights of winning in New York — aside from a heartbreaking National League Championship Series elimination to the St. Louis Cardinals in 2006.

Wright Is Being Forced To Choose Between His Heart And His Head

(credit: Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

Wright grew up a Mets fan and is being forced to choose between his heart and his head. As a Virginia teenager, he listed Benny Agbayani as his favorite player while watching the nearby Norfolk Tides.

Wright always wanted to be a Met and got his wish when he was drafted by New York at age 18. It would be very difficult for Wright to cut ties with the only organization he’s ever known, but it’s a decision he might eventually have to make.

Mets fans — I’m asking you to remove your Mets cap and put yourself in Wright’s shoes for a moment. If he puts the pen to the paper immediately, he’s committing his long-term future to a team that has only made one playoff appearance in the past 12 seasons.

The window to win championships is a short one. Derek Jeter’s desire to match Yogi Berra’s 10 World Series rings never came to fruition. After winning four World Series in five years, the New York Yankees have only won one World Series title after the year 2000. Even with the greatest resources available, it’s not easy to maintain constant World Series ambitions.

He will be cheating himself if he agrees to sign an extension out of loyalty rather than the belief that the franchise can turn itself into a winner in the near future.

Would Wright Be Foolish To Throw Away His Only Chance To Test The Market In His Prime?

Why should Wright rush his decision now, when the most competitive clubs can compete over him next offseason and offer him both a very lucrative salary and a far greater chance of competing for World Series titles?

This situation is far different from when Jeter agreed a 10-year, $189 million extension with the Yankees before the 2001 season. Actually, it’s a lot closer to Alex Rodriguez’s final year with the Seattle Mariners.

Does Wright want to continue carrying the Mets’ hopes on his back? We’ll find out sooner rather than later.

It All Comes Down To Loyalty Versus The Opportunity To Win

(credit: Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

The Mets are indeed a feel-good organization to play for when things are going right and their fans are boisterous. Mets fans are intimately knowledgeable about the game of baseball and they appreciate a winner. Whenever this team starts playing playoff baseball, October nights at Citi Field are going to be special.

General Manager Sandy Alderson and Paul DePodesta — the vice president of player development and scouting — are highly skilled at recognizing talent, but the Mets’ payroll isn’t going to jump above $100 million any time soon.

One wouldn’t blame Wright for not rushing his decision. The big question remains: Does he want to be a one-team man like Chipper Jones and Derek Jeter, or does he eventually want to test the free-agent waters like most elite players of the modern era?

What would you do if you were in Wright’s shoes? Sound off below and send your tweets to @HartnettWFAN.